My Teenage Band

My series of conversations with current musicians about their earliest projects continues with none other than Sophie Ellis-Bextor! She talks all about her time fronting britpop band theaudience from the age of 16 including the whirlwind experience of big support tours, music videos, countless interviews, sigining to a major label at 18 before it all ended before she'd even hit 20.Love. Food. Family: Recipes from the Kitchen Disco by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Richard Jones is out now, published by Octopus Publishing Group.Get theaudience's album repressed by PASTNIGHTFROMGLASGOWCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_teahttps://www.myteenageband.com/Help support the podcast - Buy me a Coffee 

HEY! MY TEENAGE BAND IS BACK! In a little break from the norm, this is a special short series made up of conversations with current musicians about their earliest musical project. And we're kicking off with none other than the wonderful indie-art-pop artist Ezra Furman whose new album All of us Flames is out now on Bella Union! We talk about open-mics, frantic studio sessions, performing at frat parties and a short stint in a band named by an actual modern legend of American rock.CREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_teahttps://www.myteenageband.com/Help support the podcast - Buy me a Coffee 

It's the season 2 finale! And we're going out on a My Teenage Band-first as special guest Emma Brodie guides us through the world of ACAPELLA! Emma is a book editor and author, her debut novel Songs in Ursa Major is set against the backdrop of the American folk/rock scene of the late 60s and early 70s, partly inspired by the relationship between James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. In this conversation Emma talks about how her time in John Hopkins University's comedy acapella group The Mental Notes also inspired bits of the novel, as well as all the drama, touring and obscene viral hits that came along with it. And yes, we briefly talk about Those Films. Emma's debut novel SONGS IN URSA MAJOR is out now on HarperCollins in the UK and Knopf in the US.More about Emma and where to purchase the novel on her websiteFollow Emma on Instagram @emma.c.brodie and Twitter @emma_c_brodieMental Notes videos:Viral hit 'My Enormous Penis'Super TrooperStalk MePoisonKiss the GirlCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_teahttps://www.myteenageband.com/Help support the podcast - Buy me a Coffee 

It's the penultimate episode of series 2! This week Nick talks to comedian and writer Charlie George about her days drumming in super-experimental punk outfit Femmes Fatales. Featuring stories of Wonderwall-obsessed guitar teachers, on-stage theatrics and a unique use of the Pocahontas soundtrack.Find out more about Charlie and her latest work on her websiteFollow Charlie on Twitter and InstagramListen to Nick on the Temporary Fandoms podcast discussing Mclusky and Future of the Left CREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_teahttps://www.myteenageband.com/Help support the podcast - Buy me a Coffee 

Our two-part musical comedy special concludes with a chat with the brilliant comedian and musician Paddy Gervers! Paddy is the comedy-partner of previous guest Jonny Donahoe - together they perform as the satirical musical duo Jonny and the Baptists.  Alongside that Paddy is also an actor, podcaster, sound designer, and solo musical artist in his own right, including appearances as a singer, guitarist, saxophonist, bassist and pianist.This chat takes in more about the history and craft of musical comedy, being part of the legendary house party scene in Oxford, sabotaging rival funk bands, and a stint in Cork’s number one wedding band.Catch up on my chats with Jonny Donahoe and Josie LongJonny and the Baptists are ON TOUR from 2nd July 2021! Get tickets hereJonny and the Baptists on BandcampFollow Jonny on Twitter @PaddyShamblesCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_teahttps://www.myteenageband.com/Help support the podcast - Buy me a Coffee 

In the first of two episodes touching on the world of musical comedy, Nick talks to the amazing comedian and musician Jonny Donahoe! One half of the satirical musical duo Jonny and the Baptists alongside Paddy Gervers, and real-life partner of former podcast guest Josie Long, Jonny talks about going from very briefly fronting an electro-pop band to being part of a musical comedy group from the tender age of 14. Together they sang about a range of topics from morose bears to unsatisfactory customer service in stationary chains. Jonny treats us to acapella renditions of some of these classics, as well as insights in to the craft of musical comedy, and the great lost "sincere" solo album.Jonny and the Baptists are ON TOUR from 2nd July 2021! Get tickets hereJonny and the Baptists on BandcampFollow Jonny on Twitter @JonnyDonahoeCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_teahttps://www.myteenageband.com/Help support the podcast - Buy me a Coffee 

This week Nick's guest is the film critic and musician Mark Kermode! Mark has been in an astonishing amount of bands, from very early skiffle-related days, to actually building his own electric guitar in order to play in teenage bands that embraced the worlds of punk, no-wave, and just making a general racket in school music rooms. These days when he's not Wittertaining the nation with Simon Mayo, reviewing films for the Observer or selecting his favourite film music on Scala Radio, Mark can be found rocking a double bass in skiffle band The Dodge Brothers.We also hear about how bands in the 70s and 80s promoted their gigs, awkward band break-ups and  the hallowed tradition of playing with a lot of different drummers. Plus - actual audio of one of Mark's teenage bands!Read about many more musical anecdotes from Mark's teenage years and beyond in his brilliant music memoir HOW DOES IT FEELLISTEN TO THE 'SUICIDE IN ST ALBANS' MIXTAPEKermode and Mayo's Film Review on BBC Radio 5 LiveMark on Scala RadioRead Mark's weekly film reviews for The ObserverCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_teahttps://www.myteenageband.com/Help support the podcast - Buy me a Coffee 

This week Nick talks to the brilliant comedian and actor Felicity Ward about singing and playing guitar in grunge bands while growing up in Australia. We hear about gigs in shopping centres and ice rinks, instruments and other paraphernalia gathered from local tips, and why performing music is always scarier than stand-up comedy.Follow Felicity on Twitter @felicitywardMore info on Felicity including upcoming gigs at her websiteCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_teahttps://www.myteenageband.com/Help support the podcast - Buy me a Coffee 

This week Nick talks to the brilliant stand-up comedian, musician and graphic novelist Josh Weller about his punk adventures on the Norwich pub circuit with volatile band managers, playing hundreds of solo gigs in London and his (very brief) experience signing to a major label on the continent before returning to his punk routes fronting The Kenneths. Follow Josh on Twitter and InstagramListen to Josh's single 'Jizzy Pop - Put Your Titties'Listen to the episode with Abi Palmer here or wherever you get your podcastsCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_teahttps://www.myteenageband.com/

This week Nick talks to the wonderful comedian and broadcaster Josie Long! Josie talks about four teenage bands - three of which even involved actually playing music. From abortive attempts at piano, clarinet and trumpet, we hear about how Josie went on to emulate the stars of Bassist Magazine, performing in band with names that ranged from the problematic to the bizarre, playing in bohemian warehouses and attempting to recruit South-East London's best teenage guitarist.Josie's websiteArts EmergencyListen to BBC Radio 4's Short CutsTickets for Josie's show 'Tender' online as part of Brighton Festival on 25th May 2021Watch Josie's show 'Cara Josephine' on Amazon PrimeFollow Josie on Twitter @JosieLongCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_teahttps://www.myteenageband.com/

This week Nick talks to Rivkah Reyes - wonderful comedian, musician,  podcast host, actor, and actual member of SCHOOL OF ROCK! That's right - we are blessed with young band royalty on the podcast as the bassist from the 2003 masterpiece talks a little bit about making School of Rock, but mostly about their post-movie musical adventures including a stint in a high-school emo band called 'Sweet Revenge' and later as singer and bassist in rock/soul band 'Brother StarRace'. Listen out for audio from both these bands plus stories of messy band break-ups, questionable cover songs, band benefactors/dentists and how Rivkah's music lead to a comedy career.Listen to Rivkah's podcast 'Where Are We Now' wherever you get your podcastsRivkah's essay 'Confessions of an Obsolete Child Actor'Follow Rivkah on:TwitterInstagramTikTokPatreonCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_teahttps://www.myteenageband.com/

For the first time on the podcast we're delving in to the world of JAZZ as Nick talks to comedian, actor and writer Rebecca Front about being the lead singer of a jazz quartet in Leytonstone. At the age of 16 Rebecca joined her older brother Jeremy and their neighbour Jonathan Gee (now a successful jazz pianist) to form a jazz group who intended to take East London by storm with their takes on the great standards, featuring singing AND scatting from Rebecca. As is often the 'My Teenage Band' way, things didn't quite work out as planned. Rebecca talks about surprisingly hostile jazz crowds, disastrous auditions and the ways in which her jazz days would inform her early comedy years.Find out more about Jonathan GeeFollow Rebecca on TwitterCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_teahttps://www.myteenageband.com/

Welcome to SEASON 2 of the My Teenage Band podcast! We're kicking things off with a chat with the utterly brilliant BBC 6Music presenter Shaun Keaveny, who talks to Nick all about playing guitar in prog/indie band Mosque.Shaun grew up in Leigh, Greater Manchester. He was headhunted for the band Mosque after cancelled holiday plans lead to him getting a guitar and an uncle taught him House of the Rising Sun. They went on to consume a lot of hob nobs and perform across the Greater Manchester area, when the gigs actually went ahead of course. Shaun talks about all of these things plus Mosque's epic prog songs about Canterbury, zoos and American TV shows of the 70s. We also hear some exclusive Mosque cuts - though only a couple due to the band's producer keeping a tight grip on the archives.Listen to Shaun every weekday on BBC Radio 6Music 1-4pm Follow Shaun on TwitterCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_teahttps://www.myteenageband.com/

This week, to end series one of My Teenage Band, Nick talks to the brilliant arts and culture writer for the Guardian Lanre Bakare about his guitar-playing days in post-rock outfit Lou Diamond Phillips.  Named after the Filipino-American actor and director, and based in Bradford, Lou Diamond Phillips were part of a healthy alternative community in and around Bradford that included putting on several gig nights. Lanre talks about these nights, his role as rhythm guitarist and occasional keyboard player in the band, and how the days of playing instrumental post-rock eventually lead to singing Weezer's Buddy Holly at his own wedding.Hear Lou Diamond Phillips' songs in full on Soundcloud Follow Lanre on Twitter and Instagram @Lanre_BakareSERIES 2 ANNOUNCEMENT - MY TEENAGE BAND NEEDS YOU!The podcast will be back in a month or so, and I’d love to hear YOUR stories about attempts at teenage musical stardom in the form of voice notes for me to play at the end of episodes, so if you’ve got any anecdotes from your teenage band days, ideally between 1 and 3 minutes in length, then just record them in to your phone and send it my way to myteenageband@gmail.com. CREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_tea

This week Nick talks to the wonderful mixed-media artist and writer Abi Palmer. Abi’s work includes the installation ‘Crip Casino’—an interactive gambling arcade parodying the wellness industry which has been shown at Tate Modern, Somerset House and Wellcome Collection - and, last year she released her book ‘Sanatorium’ via the brilliant Penned in the Margins publishers — which Abi describes as “a fragmented memoir”.Over the course of this fun and freewheeling conversation Abi talks about being the lead singer in a band with her brother called ‘The Fuzz’, before later changing the name to ‘Lashed’. She also talks about the hurdles of years of music education lost to incorrect psychic readings, slightly interfering band parents, gargling guitar solos and the tense band wars that took place in the Surrey village of Worplesdon.Also stay tuned for a My Teenage Band first - exclusive recreations of Abi's songs in voice-note form.  Abi's websiteAbi's book 'Sanatorium' is out now via Penned in the MarginsFollow Abi on Instagram and Twitter at @abipalmer_bot Listen to Abi recreating more Lashed songs at  www.myteenageband.comCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_tea

Nick talks to the podcaster and journalist Hussein Kesvani. Hussein is one of the hosts of such podcasts as Trashfuture and Ten Thousand Posts, and in 2019 he released his first book 'Follow Me, Akhi - The Online World of British Muslims'. In this chat Hussein talks about his short-lived days playing bass in emo and indie bands while at secondary school in Kent, the phenomenon of one-gig bands in the outer London area, and why Hussein's own heartbreak poetry never made it in to any of the band's songs.Follow Hussein on Twitter @HKesvaniHussein's podcasts include - TRASHFUTURETen Thousand PostsBuy Hussein's book 'Follow Me, Akhi - The Online World of British Muslims' out now on Hurst PublishersCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorListen to all episodes of the podcast at  www.myteenageband.comWeb design by Imo VeeInsta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_tea

This week Nick talks to the brilliant journalist Elle Hunt, whose work has appeared in The Guardian, The Observer magazine, Tortoise, New Scientist, Grazia and The Face, among other places. Elle is based in London, having been born in the UK, however her teenage band story takes place in New Zealand where she grew up. Elle talks about her experience forming a band partly for a school assessment, but mainly to enter RockQuest, a nationwide contest for young New Zealand bands. Did her band join the ranks of The Datsuns, Kimbra, The Naked and Famous, the Phoenix Foundation and other success stories from the competition? Listen and find out!Follow Elle on Twitter @elle_huntElle's websiteCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorListen to all episodes of the podcast at  www.myteenageband.comWeb design by Imo Vee Insta: @imo.veePresented/Produced by Nick Taylor@nick_tea

This week Nick talks to Jack Clothier, co-founder of the legendary Alcopop! Records, home to acts such as Art Brut, BO NINGEN, DZ Deathrays, The Spook School and Dream Nails. Over the course of this conversation Jack talks about several bands he's been in spanning his teenage and adult years, including his secondary school band Milo, uni band Monsters for Gods, the slightly mixed critical reception to his metal years in the band 'Rue the Day', and finally his amazing concept band of recent years (listen to find out more). Stay tuned also for at least three small anecdotes about Nick's own band experiences! Alcopop's websiteAlcopop on BandcampRecommended Alcopop! acts/releases- BO NINGEN- itoldyouiwouldeatyou- The Spook School- johnny foreigner- Gaffa Tape SandyStream 'Jurassic Pop 4 1/2: The Erotic Adventures of Jeff Goldblum' (released on Fierce Panda)CREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorListen to all episodes of the podcast at  www.myteenageband.comWeb design by Imo Vee Insta: @imo.vee

This week Nick talks to the amazing illustrator, graphic designer, animator and musician Sarah Tanat-Jones about her time tearing up Edinburgh as lead singer and drummer for her indie band 'Come on Gang!', including a trip to SXSW and recording an album with a Scottish indie hero. We also hear about volatile bandmates, early days playing drums at school in the teachers' band, and Sarah's wonderful current music project 'Tanat'.Find out more about Sarah's workSarah's 'Tanat' project on BandcampHear Come on Gang!'s full album CREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorListen to all episodes of the podcast at  www.myteenageband.comWeb design by Imo Vee Insta: @imo.vee

Happy New Year! The podcast returns with a chat with the wonderful writer and podcaster Diyora Shadijanova. She talks to Nick about spending her early years in Uzbekistan growing up in a musical family, a short-lived attempt to live up to her Kerrang! idols by playing guitar in a band before being ousted, and later finding a more satisfying band-like experience in local guitar classes, complete with (imagined) band romances. There's also talk about representation in the music industry and more recent attempts at being a super star DJ.Diyora is the opinions and essays editor for Galdem magazine, and she also writes for a number of different places including Vice and Refinery29  and she’s the host of two podcasts for the fantastic Broccolli Productions – ‘Your Broccoli Weekly’ and ‘Broccoli Book Club’ which launched just this week on 7th January.Diyora's Broccolli Productions podcasts:Broccoli Book ClubYour Broccoli WeeklyFollow Diyora on Twitter @thediyoraFind out more about her writing at her website gal-demCREDITSJingle and beds composed by Anya Pearson - Insta: @anyaplaysguitarThe debut album of Anya's band Dream Nails is out nowLead vocals by Imo BermanArtwork by Eloisa Henderson-FigueroaInsta: @eloisaillustratorWe have a website! www.myteenageband.comDesigned by Imo Vee Insta: @imo.vee